Challenge for Mo-99/Tc-99m production by JRR-3

Chiba, Yusuke

no journal, , 

Japan depends on foreign countries for many medical isotopes, and in order to realize domestic production from the viewpoint of enhancing the security of the medical system, the Atomic Energy Commission formulated the "Action Plan for the Production and Use of Radioisotopes for Medical Purposes" on 2022. In this Action Plan, one of the goals is to "manufacture and supply approximately 30% of the domestic demand for Mo-99/Tc-99m by utilizing JRR-3". JRR-3 has several utilization facilities for neutron beam experiments, irradiation tests of reactor material, and manufacturing radio isotopes for medicine use and silicon semiconductor by transmutation. JAEA is aiming to establish production technology of Mo-99 by neutron capture method, making effective use of the performance of JRR-3. The demonstration test is scheduled to be completed in 2025, and the prospect for domestic production of Mo-99 is expected to be established. In this issue, we will introduce the current status of the test.